Staple Finisher Theory - Lexmark MS81 Series Service Manual

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Staple finisher theory

The staple finisher is capable of compiling multiple pages and stapling them into one document. Motors drive the
stapling process and sensors detect the media's position and location.
Staple finisher paper path
When the finisher is installed on top of the printer, the diverter plunger changes the position of the diverter below it.
Since the diverter position of the printer below is opened, the printed paper will be re-routed. Instead of exiting the
standard output bin, the media enters the staple finisher. The movement of the diverter plunger can be controlled by
its diverter motor, depending on the printer's commands.
Note: The diverter motor controls the diverter below it. Another way of saying it is that the diverter is controlled by
the diverter motor of the output option above it.
The main motor drives the rollers which move the media along the paper path. The sensor (pass through) detects if
the media has entered the staple finisher.
Stapling process
Exit rollers move the media to the tamper where it will be prepared for stapling. Multiple pages can be stacked on the
tamper before the document is stapled. The paddle drive motor rotates the paddle rollers for aligning the trailing edge
of the pages. The paddle rollers align the trailing edges by pushing each page towards a wall. The left and right tampers
compress to align the left and right edges of the document to be stapled. The document is then moved towards the
stapler cartridge for stapling. A corner of the trailing edge is held by a paper clamping mechanism controlled by a
solenoid. The other corner of the trailing edge is positioned on the stapler throat where it is stapled. When the staple
job is done, the ejector motor drives the ejector belts which push the stapled document into the top of the output bin.
Then the tampers move to release the document into the bin. The sensor (bin full) on the left and right side of the
stapler detects if the media stacked on the bin is already full.
Appendix C: Theory of operation
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